The Los Angeles Chargers exceeded expectations in 2024, making the playoffs in the first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh with the franchise’s first 11-win season since 2018. However, major roster turnover was expected in 2025 and NFL rumors are already pointed to several looming departures.
One of the biggest reasons for the team’s success this past season was the defense orchestrated by defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Los Angeles finished the regular season with a top-10 defense in several major categories, with Minter getting the most out of Derwin James Jr and getting breakout seasons from defensive back Elijah Molden, defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu and cornerback Kristian Fulton.
- Los Angeles Chargers cap space 2025: $63.409 million
Now, after carrying this team at times in 2024, the defense is headed for a significant overhaul. Among the Chargers free agents in 2025 are Fulton, Molden, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., defensive linemen Morgan Fox, Poona Ford, Teair Tart and Khalil Mack. Evidently, several starters won’t be back.
Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post wrote that he expects Mack to leave in NFL free agency with a return to the Chicago Bears viewed as a viable outcome. The NFL insider also shared that Los Angeles will cut edge rusher Joey Bosa later this offseason.
- Joey Bosa contract (Spotrac): $36.471 million cap hit in 2025
Moving on from Bosa just makes financial sense. Entering his age-30 season, Bosa carries one of the highest cap hits in the NFL among non-quarterbacks this year. Releasing him this spring leaves just $11.111 million in dead money while freeing up $25.36 million of cap space for Los Angeles.
The club tried to make it work with the five-time Pro Bowl selection, but injuries and declining performance decimated his on-field production. Over the last three seasons, Bosa recorded just 14 sacks in 28 games played and he generated only 40 total pressures over those three years.
- Khalil Mack stats: 22 pressures, 15 QB hits, 6 sacks, 6 tackles for loss
Bosa’s inevitable release and the expected departure of Mack in NFL free agency will leave the Chargers defense with two glaring holes at edge rusher. Fortunately, the open market does have several high-end pass rushers available and there are multiple first-round prospects at edge defender in the 2025 NFL Draft. At the very least, Los Angeles shouldn’t have much trouble replacing Bosa’s production.
